Martha Roby fights for farmers’ inclusion in hurricane recovery efforts on House floor

A little over month ago Hurricane Michael tore through parts of Alabama, leaving devastation in its wake. On Thursday, Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep Martha Roby took to the House floor to discuss the devastation to the counties in Alabama’s Second District that were impacted by the storm. She also appealed to her colleagues to include farmers in all in hurricane recovery efforts.

“Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia… Alabama’s Second District was badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region,” Roby said.

She continued, “… agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty. I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time… We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama’s farmers are included in all recovery efforts.”

Representative Roby recognized the agriculture community in particular and encouraged those who still need recovery assistance to contact her offices.

Watch Roby’s floor speech below:

The full text of Representative Roby’s remarks as prepared is below:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

Hundreds of Americans lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed.

Hurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and the nearby areas, but Alabama’s Second District was also badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region.

In fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County according to recorded history.

In my district, the agriculture community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers.

In the aftermath of the storm, I have traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they are experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in Southeast Alabama are in the midst of a very real crisis.

In Alabama’s Second District, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities.

Their work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods.

Mr. Speaker, I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time. I will work with my colleagues here in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama’s farmers are included in all recovery efforts.

I encourage anyone in Alabama’s Second District who needs assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael to contact one of my offices today.

My staff and I work for you, and we are committed to ensuring that the folks impacted know the options available to them.

As we work through this season of rebuilding, I have been encouraged to see and hear about so many acts of kindness and charity in our district and throughout the Southeast. This time of recovery will not be easy, but if we continue to help each other in whatever ways we are able, we will get through this together.

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